This is our second year in a row trekking out to Ohio to ride on the Blue Choo Choo, and I will say that this year Grayson really understood what was going on a lot more.
What a difference a year makes...last year to this year he really has gotten so much bigger.
Can I point out that Thomas the Train is pretty much a toddler addiction? Whenever his whistle would sound there were literally hundreds of kids screaming and yelling. It was almost like being at a Justin Timberlake concert for toddlers :)
At first he wasn't too sure- it might have been the 2 hour car nap fog had not worn off yet.
Once we got on the train however, he was much better. Except when the train stopped- then he just kept saying Green Light Thomas, Go Fast!! Meanwhile Mommy gets motion sick like woah, and that stupid train goes backwards. See that smile on my face? That's really me attempting not to lose my Starbucks. The things we do for our kiddos, right?
Me gots a Thomas paper, Mommy!!
Overall it was a great day. If you have a train obsessed toddler in your ranks, I highly suggest Day Out with Thomas. The train ride seems pricy at around $20 each, but all of the other activities are completely free. The big arse Thomas balloon cost me $10, and approximately two minutes after tying it to my hand the top part let go and Thomas floated away. Luckily they did give me a new one, since that was obviously not my error. Otherwise I would have shelled out another $10 because Grayson was already telling everyone who would listen that Mommy let his Thomas go up to the sky. He still looks up at the sky and asks where his Thomas balloon went. He's got the guilt game down, for sure.
Now he's asking for Gigi and Pap to take him to ride on Thomas, so we'll see if there are two train rides in our plans this summer!
Really, that's a personal victory. Those little doughnuts are delicious!
This year the Pittsburgh Marathon had some pretty crappy weather. Usually we get up at the sheer butt crack of dawn to head down with Pappy to watch Daddy and Gigi run- but this year everyone was doing the relay. Meaning Grayson and I were on our own. Now if you remember last years race as my husband was running across the 16th street bridge my adorable sweet boy was coming down with the stomach bug and vomiting everywhere. It was a nightmare, to say the least. I was not looking forward to being stuck downtown with a kid who could potentially repeat his stomach pyrotechnics from last year. But, luckily for me, when we woke up it was 45 and raining...far too bad to take the two year old out in. So Daddy went off and ran his leg, then came home to get us. By noon when we were getting ready to watch my mother in law cross the finish line the rain was gone and it was in the mid 50's. Not the best, but it's spring in Pittsburgh. Since it was so late and the traffic in the city was crazy, it was too far to walk to get my doughnut. So it was more a lack of willpower to walk nearly a mile to get a doughnut than me actually saying "No, I will not eat them!"
In all seriousness though lovelies, the hubs did amazing. On his leg of the race he averaged a 9:04 minute per mile. Did I mention that he didn't train in order to be able to do that? Yeah, he's disgusting to say the least. I'd be thrilled to be able to wake up and run six miles, period!
At the finish line with Daddy!
Team Why Not?!
Medal theif.
He said next year he "run fast wif Dad!"
Go for it buddy, Mommy will meet you at the finish line- doughnut in hand!
The other day I had two students show up to visit me, they had graduated the year before.
Okay first, that crap makes you feel REALLY old, REALLY fast. I really don't get how I taught them four years ago, and now they're in college. After all, I haven't aged a single day, I'm still 25. (No comments from the peanut gallery needed, mmmkay?!)
As we sat and chatted about where they were now and what they were up to one of them looked at me and said something I don't think I can ever forget. He said "When I was in school some days I felt like you were the only one who believed I could be something someday, and you never let me give up. Thank you." Insert tears from my eyes here.
Now to be honest, when I started teaching I always said I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to inspire kids and let them know that I would always be there if they needed to talk. I have had kids come to me in their darkest moments and tell me things I never wanted to hear. I have given relationship advice, parent advice, and life advice. But to hear a kid actually say out loud that I mattered to them - that's a pretty big deal, folks.
The funniest part is that I really wish I could get kids to realize when they are freshmen what they learn when they get out into the real world. You may never need to remember what type of rock pumice is (igneous, in case you had the urge to Google it), or what the Pythagorean theorem is used for, or even who wrote The Great Gatsby- but sitting in class "learning" all of those things really is preparing you for real life.
We're teaching you how to follow rules, even though you hate them. We're teaching you how to work with others (and pick up the slack for people who don't do their part). We're teaching you how to overcome obstacles and challenges and to figure out how you solve problems on your own. We're teaching you how to juggle multiple tasks and set realistic goals on what needs to get done and when. We're teaching you not to give up and to work hard and to be respectful. We're (at least trying to) teach you compassion and understanding- so that some day when you become an adult and have to care about someone other than yourself you'll know how.
None of these things really have anything to do with the content that I teach- but the truth is that sometimes I'm more concerned with the person you will become rather than the grade on your test.
That's how a lot of teachers feel, and that's why we do what we do. No one gets into this profession to make lots of money, or for the recognition, or for the "great hours" that everyone seems to think we have. You get into this profession to help kids and to make a difference- and that's no easy task. If you can get your students to learn, grow and give back- then you truly have hit the teaching jackpot. This guy has certainly done just that.
All over the country teachers are doing these things and really making a difference. Spending money out of their own pockets to provide students with materials they need. Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom have partnered to raise awareness about teachers, and all that they do in the lives of their students. Adopt-A-Classroom is a nonprofit organization that helps connect donors with teachers to enhance the learning environment for students, and you too can help by getting involved.
Have you all had a chance to get to know the stomach bug that is floating around? He's a total jerk, and spent an unwelcome week at our house. On the upside, that was the easiest ten pounds I ever lost OVERNIGHT...too bad it will all come back with a vengeance once I can keep something down besides spit. (If you've had this gem, you totally get this comment.)
In other news I chaperoned prom the other evening with some of the best co-workers around.
We took this picture for two reasons. One because were amazing, the other to prove that we were all awake after 11 PM. I didn't feel nearly as bad though when the teenagers were laying down on the floor outside of the ballroom at 10:30. If they cant hang, then I don't feel nearly as bad admitting I was asleep before we even got out of the parking lot. I am not meant to stay awake until midnight, I'm just not. Especially not when I wake up at 5 AM to go to work, that's just too long of a day. I barely had enough energy to do the running man with a student and dance in the corner while my husband hid embarrassed of me.
All in all Im glad the kiddos had fun and were so well behaved, but I am really glad prom night only comes around once a year. I still haven't recovered from my late night out!
Please tell me Im not the only old lady out there?
The other night for dinner I wanted something relatively healthy but I also wanted something that didn't taste healthy. I had seen one too many Olive Garden commercials that day and was craving something Italian.
I think I've told you all before I married the pickiest husband on the planet, so sometimes finding something new to make can be a bit iffy. I had a really yummy looking stuffed chicken on my pinterest board, but I knew stuffing it with cheese would not sit with hubs. But I was intrigued enough to come up with my own stuffed chicken, sans cheese.
Ingredients:
4 thin sliced chicken breasts (about 1/4 inch thick)
Fresh Rosemary- about 1 tablespoon
Fresh thyme- about 1 tablespoon
Garlic- I used four cloves
1 Tbsp Butter
Panko Bread Crumbs
Egg
Parmesan Cheese
1. Start by chopping up the rosemary and thyme. Place into a small bowl and grate in fresh garlic. Add butter and microwave for 15-30 seconds, just enough to melt the butter.
2. If you have thick chicken breasts, place them between two sheets of parchment paper and pound them to an even thickness around 1/4 inch thick. Spread the garlic/herb/butter mix onto one side of the chicken breast.
3. Roll up the chicken, keeping the herb mix in the middle.
4. In one bowl beat together two eggs. In a separate bowl put some Panko bread crumbs mixed with about 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
5. Dip the rolled up chicken into the egg, then coat in breadcrumb/cheese mixture. I also threw some leftover thyme and rosemary into the breadcrumbs just to spice them up a bit. Make sure to really coat the chicken, including the edges.
6. Place into a greased baking dish. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
That's all she wrote!
I ate mine with green beans (yes they were canned, don't judge me). The hubs had his with buttered noodles. We also had bread, but truth be told I was so full from the chicken I didn't even eat mine. I made four chicken breasts and the hubs ate two and a half of them. It was that good.
Do you have a fun stuffed chicken recipe I should try? Leave me the link and I promise to check it out!
So the hubs came home on Tuesday night and not a moment too soon. Single parent hood is not for me, even if this week we realized that Daddy is the one who makes the messes around our house.
After spending a whole week with Grayson he has become sort of attached at my hip, like lost it when I dropped him off at Nanas to go to work attached. Normally? The kid tells me to 'GO!' and waves bye faster than I can get his coat off of him. However after a full week of not being able to pee or shower alone this Momma was ready for a little break. So Thursday night I went to Zumba- alone, for one whole glorious butt kicking hour. As I was walking out the door my kid was inconsolable in tears. Worst Mom Ever, right here.
Lovelies, it took all I had to walk down those steps and get into my car. In reality? I knew he would be fine with his Dad .2 seconds after I walked out of the house. But when a certain blonde haired blue eyed boy is asking me to sit on the couch with him and says "No go, Mama?" Its really hard to leave him. I get this gnawing feeling in my gut, and I know its Mom Guilt.
Can we all just agree that Mom Guilt sucks hardcore?
In reality, we know our kids will be fine and they don't really need us there but when they want us and we choose (or have to be) somewhere else it seems like the worst feeling in the entire universe.
And when I decided to attend a girls night on Friday night with some of the best ladies in the world, I felt even worse. However I knew that if I didn't get out of the house and have some "me time" I would lose my head. So I went, and I had a great time.
Its easy to say that one of the hardest parts of this Mom-Gig is trying to figure out the balance between Grayson time and Me time, and dealing with the dreaded Mom Guilt when I do need a little time to myself.
So tell me ladies, how do you deal with the Mom Guilt?
I've always respected single parents, but until this past week I had never been one. The hubs is out of town on business and has been since basically last Monday night. One full week of Mommy/Grayson time with pretty much no help and I am B.E.A.T.
Seriously single Moms and Dads? WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF RESPECT.
Like there should be a statue somewhere in your honor and free baby sitting available for those moments when you just need a break. Or want to pee alone.
Now don't get me wrong, I love my kid and I do enjoy the fact that for the past week I've gotten all the snuggles and all of the mooches and attention. Maybe its the fact that I'm not used to being a single parent, so I don't know how to accomplish the things that need to get done without help. Like taking the dogs out to go to the bathroom when your toddler is standing on the other side of the door screaming bloody murder, cooking dinner, running down the creaky steep basement stairs to switch laundry, taking a shower when you HAVE to get out the door for work in the next forty minutes, or shoveling the CRAP TON of snow that had to fall this week. Usually there is someone else in the house to distract the toddler while these activities are taking place, but not this week.
So the theme of this week, lovelies, has been survival. You want to eat four packs of fruit snacks at the front door while I shovel us a path to the car? Eat them. You want to open and put an entire pack of minion band aids on mommy's legs while she makes dinner? Okay! Mommy needs to do laundry downstairs? Here, lets color with chalk on the kitchen floor! Woo!! Isn't this fun?! Mommy needs to shower, do you want to watch your 30th episode of Caliou in the past four days- SURE!!
Sometimes, you pick your battles and other times you don't.
I will say that since this week we have not had to send anyone to time out and haven't had any real meltdowns other than at bedtime. Bedtime is Dada time- and we haven't been happy that Daddy isn't here to read stories and play and snuggle before bed. Mix that with a tired toddler and we've had a few swats and "No Mama- DADA!" yells. All it takes is a quick snuggle and a "Momma misses Dadda too, bubba." for him to calm down. Then I distract him with a snack or another Caliou episode (why oh why does my child like this show- that kid is obnoxious) and all is right in toddler world. Our normal 9 PM bedtime has been closer to 11 or even 12 on the nights Daddy wanted to face time. Mommy gets up at 5 for work, so needless to say I am wiped out. I actually went to work on Friday with two different shoes on. Thankfully I keep a pair of shoes in my closet at work, so I at least had something to change into. That same day one of my students actually told me I looked like I needed a nap, and when teenagers notice you look like the walking dead its a pretty bad sign.
I will say that the kid has been a breeze compared to the two neurotic dogs. They saw a suitcase leave the house and they were not invited on the trip, so they have basically been psycho ever since. Barking at every single noise (only after it gets dark of course), whining and jumping on a sleeping Grayson at 5:30 AM so I will feed them breakfast, knocking over the trash can every chance they get and refusing to go outside to go to the bathroom. If I didn't love and adore them, I swear I would put them on the porch with a free sign and call it a day.
Hopefully the hubs will get home tomorrow- but if he doesn't please feel free to come over and find me. Ill be the Mommy covered in stickers coming up with reason 75 why I cant stand Caliou.
